Spectacular musical comedy "Something Rotten!" returns to the Festival stage
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
“Nothing’s as amazing as a musical!” Following overwhelming audience demand, the Stratford Festival brings the wildly popular musical Something Rotten! back to the Festival stage. Directed and choreographed by Donna Feore and led by a beloved cast including Starr Domingue as Bea Bottom, Henry Firmston as Nigel Bottom, Jeff Lillico as Shakespeare and Mark Uhre as Nick Bottom, this exuberant musical comedy transforms the Renaissance into a dazzling celebration of theatre, filled with spectacular dance numbers, infectious songs and riotous comedy. Hailed by critics as “the smartest and funniest new musical comedy” and named a Critic’s Pick by The Globe and Mail in its celebrated 2024 run, this Stratford favorite returns for another season of irresistible theatrical joy.
In the vibrant world of Renaissance London, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are determined to make their mark as playwrights, no easy feat when their flashy rival, William Shakespeare, is the toast of the town. Struggling for inspiration and desperate for a hit, Nick turns to an eccentric soothsayer whose outrageous prediction sends the brothers down an unexpected theatrical path. As they attempt to create something boldly original, they become entangled in a whirlwind of ambition, rivalry, romance, and backstage chaos. What follows is a wildly entertaining spectacle, bursting with larger-than-life comedy, theatrical mischief and the magic and madness of live theatre.
“Every time I stage a show on Stratford’s thrust stage, I re-imagine the entire production… This leads to new discoveries, ensuring that even if you’ve seen Something Rotten! before – even here – you’ve never seen it like this,” says Feore.
“The company of Something Rotten! is extraordinary. They are some of the most talented, experienced, dedicated and delightful artists I’ve ever been lucky enough to work with.”
Something Rotten! also features Dan Chameroy as Nostradamus, Juan Chioran as Brother Jeremiah, Steve Ross as Shylock, and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane as Portia with Eric Abel, Gabriel Antonacci, Michelle Bardach, Carla Bennett, Devon Michael Brown, Wade Pierre Buller, Jeremy Carver-James as Minstrel, Jarret Cody, Nehassaiu deGannes as Lady Clapham, Christine Desjardins, Josh Doig, Jordan Goodridge, Alexandra Gratton, Bonnie Jordan, Alex Kelly, Amanda Lundgren, Gracie Mack, Anthony MacPherson, Jordan Mah, Jamie Murray, Stephen Patterson, Ali Powell, Brian Ross and Jason Sermonia.
Laura Burton returns as Music Director, marking her 47th season at the Stratford Festival. Feore and Burton are joined by Set and Costume Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher and Sound Designer Haley Parcher.
Something Rotten! officially opens on May 29 and runs until October 31 at the Festival Theatre. Tickets are available at stratfordfestival.ca or by calling 1.800.567.1600.
